EU member states of UNSC call on Turkey to stop attacking Syria

NEW YORK - 11 October 2019: The EU member state in the United Nations Security Council called upon Turkey to stop its unilateral military operation in northeastern Syria.

“We are deeply concerned by the Turkish military operation in north-east Syria. We call upon Turkey to cease the unilateral military action as we do not believe it will address Turkey’s underlying security concerns.” said Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations Jürgen Schulz on behalf of EU six countries in the security Council after a closed door meeting on Syria.

In a press briefing in United Nation accompanied by representatives of the UK, France, Belgium, Poland and Estonia, Schulz declared that renewed armed hostilities in the north-east will further undermine the stability of the whole region, exacerbate civilian suffering and provoke further displacements which will increase the number of refugees and Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria and in the region.

“Unilateral military action on Turkey’s part threatens the progress achieved by the Global Coalition against Da'esh. It will undermine the security of the Coalition’s local partners, including the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF], and risks protracted instability in north-east Syria, providing fertile ground for the resurgence of Da’esh, which remains a significant threat to regional, international and European security.” He added.

He said that the so-called ‘safe zone’ in northeastern Syria as envisaged by Turkey is unlikely would satisfy international criteria for refugee return as laid down by UNHCR. “We maintain our position that refugee and IDP returns to their places of origin must be safe, voluntary and dignified when conditions allow.”



“Any attempt at demographic change would be unacceptable. We want to be clear that the EU will not provide stabilization or development assistance in areas where the rights of local populations are ignored,” the German representative warned.

Schulz mentioned that Turkey is a key partner of the European Union, a NATO ally and a member of the Global Coalition against Da'esh and is a critically important actor in the Syrian crisis and the region. Europe recognizes its important role as a host country of Syrian refugees.

“We continue to urge all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and unhindered, safe and sustainable humanitarian access throughout Syria,” he said

Schulz also asserted that Europe committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. “We reaffirm that a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict cannot be achieved militarily but only through a genuine political transition in line with UNSCR 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Communique, negotiated by the Syrian parties within the UN-led Geneva process. This process should not be undermined by any party,” he said.